UWF Innovative Institute helps students plan for future careers


  • March 8, 2016
  • /   Reggie Dogan
  • /   education

More than 200,000 Florida students have registered to use the FloridaShines career planning site. The online planning tool is hosted by the University of West Florida's Innovation Institute. Photo: FloridaShines website.

It is never too early to think about a career.  While many young people may change their minds as they grow and learn, it's good to know what the opportunities are and what it takes to achieve them.

The University of West Florida Innovation Institute is offering some help for students to find out about career opportunities available to them.

More than 100,000 Florida students have signed up to use MyCareerShines, a comprehensive education and career planning system implemented and administrated by the Institute.

The innovative, online tool made it debut in September 2015 and has quickly become the go-to resource to help Florida students plan for future career opportunities.

The system is ran by a combination of age-appropriate online tools that allow students to develop a personalized education plan that connects interests and skills to career and jobs.

The UWF Innovation Institute sign on the DeVilliers Square building in Pensacola.

The UWF Innovation Institute sign on the DeVilliers Square building in Pensacola.

MyCareerShines is free for all Florida students from middle school through college and beyond. It works with the state’s 40 colleges and universities and other partners to help students match their interests with career options so that they can better prepare for the future.

“MyCareerShines is helping students plan for the future,” said Karen Rasmussen, assistant provost and chief academic strategist at the UWF Innovation Institute. Whether it’s college, training or straight into the workforce, MyCareerShines gives students all the information and tools to succeed.”

To be sure, most people need some preparation before they are ready for the workforce, and planning should begin long before it’s time to start a career.

This could include taking technical courses during high school or, after graduating, attending a college or university to earn a certificate or a degree. Knowing what type of career preparation you need begins with thinking about what type of career you want.

Once you’ve thought about the subjects and activities you like best, the next step is to look for careers that put those interests to use.

That’s where MyCareerShines can help.

It offers two online tools developed by Kuder, an internationally recognized firm specializing in research-based assessments.

Students in middle and high school can use Kuder Nagivator to develop an education plan that prepares them for college and a career after graduation.

College students can use Journey to develop a plan to pursue and land their dream job.

Students can build a plan by going through the step-by-step process or they can access certain features in the system. The system allows students to assess their interests and skills, explore the extensive catalog of careers, learn about the education requirements for their top job choices, make a plan for school, create resumes, prepare for interviews and find jobs.

“When students have a plan, they are more likely to stay on track for earning their degree,” Rasmussen said. “My CareerShines helps them create that plan, starting as early as sixth grade."

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